Get to know your union!
Our continuing series in helping you connect with your union.
Jaap Vleugel – Local Consultation Committee
My name is (Dr.) Jaap Vleugel. I have been working at the TUD since 2001. I started as a senior researcher in freight transport at the former OTB Research Institute, known for its very thorough and socially engaged research. This was followed by the T&P department of CEG. There too, I worked in EU-funded projects. After 2 years I became a full-time lecturer in the bachelor (BSA Committee, Minor Integral design of infrastructure and bachelor theses). I have also been coordinating the EngD course Techno-Economic Evaluation for 4 years.
Most of the time is spent on master’s education in the role of coordinator/supervisor and chair of design and graduation project courses. The interfaculty and interdisciplinary Master TIL is the core, followed by education at ME (MME and MTT; external member of graduation committee), Sanitary Engineering (T-E.E.) and City of the Future at Built Environment. I manage the website of the TIL master and provide study advice and policy advice.
Every year, we realise dozens of student projects for commercial companies and sometimes also for (semi-)governments. I am interested in everything related to logistics, sustainability (vehicles, fuels), business process improvement, (spatial) planning and also passenger transport. Direct applicability and societal valorisation is what makes this research attractive.
My work as an executive FNV Education / LO member
Since 2024 I have been a member due to bottlenecks in my work situation. Complaining or walking away does not solve the problem (for others). If you find the work itself appealing, you’ll only be shooting yourself in the foot. I stayed to actively work on improvement together with like-minded people. In the joint local consultation of the trade unions (VLO) we deal with topics that are put forward by members/colleagues, trade union consultants, ourselves, OR/OdCs, SR or the CVB. We operate independently of our (direct) managers and work together with the Executive Board where possible. We do not have a specific division of tasks. We are faced with complex and drawn-out files, of which work pressure, the quality of the organization and management and social safety stand out by far.
What can you talk to my colleagues and me about?
You can share with us everything you encounter in the work situation, provided it is of a professional nature. An example is a difficult relationship with your manager or colleagues. Questions about the application of UFO (University Job Classification) are another example. Work pressure has already been mentioned. We will treat the information provided confidentially. We also refer to specialized colleagues at the trade unions or within this organization.
I am around the meetings with the (V)LO and on request present on the 9th floor in Building 26C room C9.110. You can email me at j.m.vleugel@tudelft.nl.